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Vietnam vets present flag to 'Momma Dot'

The Wilson County Vietnam Veterans of America Post 1004 members are still serving their fellow citizens. The group, which includes Veteran's Services Officer Bernie Ash, paid a call Wednesday on the King's House, a home for men with developmental problems.

The Wilson County Vietnam Veterans of America Post 1004 members are still serving their fellow citizens.

The group, which includes Veteran's Services Officer Bernie Ash, paid a call Wednesday on the King's House, a home for men with developmental problems.

The post members came to the group home on Cedar Street in Lebanon to present a flag to "Momma Dot" Nevins. The group installed a flag pole at the house already, but rain prevented the flag from being hoisted for the ceremony. Moving indoors didn't put a damper on spirits.

"She has run the home since 1968," Ash said of Nevins.

Nevins is assisted by her granddaughter, Melanie McFarland, who has helped her grandmother with the residents since 1993 when she was 11 years old.

"She's been a boss ever since," Nevins said of her granddaughter.

Vietnam veterans from the county get together at a local restaurant some Saturday mornings to sit around and chat about the news of the day. Ash said in December, when the 17 vets sat down, they decided to do something good for the King's House. That good thing was to visit the house and provide the residents with Christmas presents.

"We also provided them with a Thanksgiving dinner and a Christmas dinner," said Vietnam veteran Harold Weist.

Ash encourages Vietnam veterans to join the group that provides support for the men and women who shared their experiences in Southeast Asia during the war. He said they don't come together to refight the war, but to have a few laughs and determine how they can help out Wilson County people in need.

For more information about the Wilson County Vietnam Veterans, call Ash at the Wilson County Veterans Service Office at 615-444-2460.